Motorcyclist Dies in Early Morning Hillsborough Crash

The motorcyclist died after he was thrown from his vehicle when it hit the rear end of a car.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A Ruskin man died early Tuesday (March 1) when he was thrown from his motorcycle after it hit the rear end of a car.

Dead at the scene was Jose Sanchez-Soto, 27, of Ruskin.

Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol described the situation: A 1999 Ford driven by John Richard Freehafer, 53, of Spring Hill, was traveling south on I-75 about 3:05 a.m. Tuesday (March 1). Mr. Sanchez-Soto was riding his 2013 Suzuki GSX R6 behind the Ford. The vehicles were approaching Gibsonton Drive. Mr. Sanchez-Soto failed to slow or stop and his motorcycle struck the rear of the Ford. He was thrown from the motorcycle and killed. He was wearing a helmet and alcohol does not appear to be a factor.